SA accounts for 90% of global drowning deaths – NSRI
Ninety percent of global drowning deaths happen in South Africa.
The National Sea Rescue Institute says over 1 500 fatal drownings are recorded in the country annually.
The organisation's Executive Director for Drowning Prevention, Dr Jill Fortuin, spoke during a webinar to mark World Drowning Prevention Day.
She said they have found that drowning and drowning prevention are not taken seriously enough in South Africa.
Fortuin said collaboration with government agencies and other NGOs can help address the limited expertise, knowledge and other resources - and prioritise initiatives.
"Our plan is that we can have a comprehensive drowning programme that considers unique challenges within South Africa as well as our cultural context, not forgetting that we have 12 official languages in the country and very disparaged areas where we find there is a complete lack of resources."
